Festivals face an uncertain future with no formal announcement of when COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings will ease enough to allow them to be held again. Last month, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy told the ABC until a vaccine or treatment is found for the coronavirus, he does not believe social distancing measures can be relaxed entirely. "It's hard for me to envisage reopening of nightclubs and big music festivals in the foreseeable future," he said. READ ABOUT THE RESTRICTIONS' IMPACT ON FAR SOUTH COAST FESTIVALS When Australian Community Media asked the Department of Health when restrictions would ease enough to allow festivals to run again, a spokesperson did not give a specific timeframe, but said authorities wanted to be "absolutely sure" the country was prepared for any outbreaks before relaxing rules. "We've seen already how infectious the coronavirus is. We saw early on in the outbreak how quickly one wedding can infect 35 people," the spokesperson said. "We need to be absolutely sure we're not missing cases in the community and that we're prepared before changing the restrictions." If a vaccine is required before mass gathering rules are relaxed then that could be some time away, as while the World Health Organization believes a vaccine for COVID-19 may be available within 18 months it also states it can take a number of years for new vaccines to be developed. The Department of Health spokesperson said decisions on the preconditions for running mass gatherings, the timing of such decisions and whether or not this coincides with the availability of a vaccine will be informed by scientific evidence as it evolves over time. READ ALSO: Song needs 'thousands' of plays on streaming platform to make $1, musician claims "Decisions around large gathering will occur at a National Cabinet level to ensure there are consistent principles that are agreed to in terms of the thresholds for reopening but each state and territory may slightly vary in their interpretation and implementation of these principles based on their local situation," the spokesperson said. When festivals and concerts are eventually permitted, the spokesperson said there may still be "significant measures" to maintain social distancing and support good hygiene. A Bega Valley Shire Council spokesperson said when it came to council's role in festivals it was involved in planning related matters, such as the use of public land and traffic considerations, but each event was different and the specific approvals required depended on the type of event. "Regarding specific considerations around the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bega Valley Shire Council will continue to follow the guidelines and parameters being devised and implemented by the federal and state governments," they said.

When Australian Community Media asked the Department of Health when restrictions would ease enough to allow festivals to run again, a spokesperson did not give a specific timeframe, but said authorities wanted to be "absolutely sure" the country was prepared for any outbreaks before relaxing rules.

"We've seen already how infectious the coronavirus is. We saw early on in the outbreak how quickly one wedding can infect 35 people," the spokesperson said.

"We need to be absolutely sure we're not missing cases in the community and that we're prepared before changing the restrictions."

If a vaccine is required before mass gathering rules are relaxed then that could be some time away, as while the World Health Organization believes a vaccine for COVID-19 may be available within 18 months it also states it can take a number of years for new vaccines to be developed.

The Department of Health spokesperson said decisions on the preconditions for running mass gatherings, the timing of such decisions and whether or not this coincides with the availability of a vaccine will be informed by scientific evidence as it evolves over time.

"Decisions around large gathering will occur at a National Cabinet level to ensure there are consistent principles that are agreed to in terms of the thresholds for reopening but each state and territory may slightly vary in their interpretation and implementation of these principles based on their local situation," the spokesperson said.

When festivals and concerts are eventually permitted, the spokesperson said there may still be "significant measures" to maintain social distancing and support good hygiene.

A Bega Valley Shire Council spokesperson said when it came to council's role in festivals it was involved in planning related matters, such as the use of public land and traffic considerations, but each event was different and the specific approvals required depended on the type of event.

"Regarding specific considerations around the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bega Valley Shire Council will continue to follow the guidelines and parameters being devised and implemented by the federal and state governments," they said.